COMO, Content, or Novocomum, is a town of Italy, and capital of the department or Latiu, beautifully si tuated uu the southern exttemity of the Lariat Lake, or the Lake of Como. Excepting towards the lake, it is surrounded on all sides with fertile hills, and stands at the bottom of three green and wooded conical emi nences, the middle one of which is crowned with a crest ed castle, stretching its ramparts down the declivity.
The houses arc chiefly built of stone, and the public edifices arc magnificent. The cathedral, which was re paired at the expence of Innocent Xl. is of a mixed style of architecture, and is constructed of white mar ble. The front is in a light Gothic style ; the nave is supported by Gothic arches ; the choir and transepts are adorned with composite pillars ; and the w hole is surmounted with a dome over the centre. There is a statue of Pliny the Younger, who was born in Como, placed in a niche in the front of the cathedral, with basso relievos, alluding to his writings, and inscriptions in his honour on each side of the grand entrance. Be sides the cathedral, there are about 12 other churches, some of which are ornamental to the town. That of St Giovanni is decorated with several columns, which are supposed to have been taken from a portico woich Pliny mentions as having been built by his wife's grandfather Fabatus. There are likewise in Como three colleges of
considerable reputation, and three public libraries.
Como is a town of great antiquity, and appears to have been founded by a colony of Gauls under Brennus. Its importance was increased by a colony of 5u0 Greeks, all of whom were persons or quality, who were carried there by Julius Cmaar. In the time of Pliny it appears to have been a flourishing and opulent city, surrounded with large and magnificent villas, and decorated with temples, statues, porticoes, and pillared gates.
The inhabitants are very industrious, and have the character of making good soldiers. Several manufac tures of cotton, silk, and velvet, are established in the town, and a small trade is carried on %vim the Grisons.
Eustace, who visited this town in 18u2, makes the population 20,000, whereas Tynna, in his 4lmanach du Commerce. liour 1811, where the population of French towns is generally exaggerated, makes it only 7000. East. Long. 9° 5' 41", North. Lat. 45" 48' 22". See the Rev. John Chetwode Eustace's Classical Tour through Italy, vol. ii. p. S63, &c. Loud. 1813 ; Viaggio ai tre Laghi Maggiore, di Lugano, e di Como, di Carlo Anioretti. 1803 ; and Tableau Historique Statis ague et Morale de la Haute Italie, par Ch. Denina, p. 248, 388. Paris 1805. (a•)